Gobble de Art Blog

It’s a beautiful day for January. The sun is shining and I can feel spring in my feathers. Around here, Hokies get antsy in the cold weather; cabin fever is a real issue. So, even though it’s cold, it’s still a sunny day that shouldn’t be wasted. Momma Dot and I plan on going on a hike. But of course, I want to help a Hokie out before I go. If you’re feeling adventurous today, here’s a list of my favorite hiking places near or around the ‘Burg. Each destination is unique and beautiful in its own way.

Bald Knob

One of my go-to places to hike is Bald Knob at Mountain Lake. The hike there is enough to get you sweating, but it’s not a very long hike at all. Plus, there are two routes: the difficult one and the moderate one. The difficult route is much shorter, but let me tell you Hokies, it is quite the workout. It is straight up the mountain, but it does allow one to feel in tune with nature. The alternative route is much like the New River Trail. It’s longer, snakes its way up the mountain, and is a graveled and leveled path. Either route is great, but the view is even greater. At the top of Bald Knob, a hiker can see blankets of mountains rolling over top of each other. It’s amazing, especially at sunset. Additionally, if you’re a fan of the movie Dirty Dancing, the movie was filmed at this area. You can walk around the museum area at the parking lot to reminisce on this film. This hiking area is about 40 minutes away from campus.

Buffalo Mountain

Buffalo mountain is a beautiful little area and a nice place to hike. It’s a longer hike than Bald Knob, but less intense. It’s a great family hike, especially if you have little ones. The view from the hump of the mountain is gorgeous, especially in the fall. You can see for miles from the top of this mountain. This hiking area is again, about 40-50 minutes away from Blacksburg.

The Cascades

The Cascades is a great spot to go to during all seasons of the year. Hop on 460, drive 30 minutes down the road from Blacksburg, and you’re there! If it’s a hot day, you can act as if the destination is a well-deserved treat and take a nice dip under the falls. The Cascades is a beautiful waterfall that crashes over the side of a mountain. It’s a nice transition from hiking to the top of a mountain. This hike is only 4 miles round trip, but it is beautiful. This hike is even worth it in the wintertime; I’ve seen the frozen Cascades and they are just as beautiful as the fully-thawed, fully-crashing Cascades. You should certainly take the time to visit.

Sharp Top Mountain

Sharp Top Mountain is one of the hardest hikes I’ve ever been on. Me and Momma Dot thought we’d never get to the top. It’s straight up the mountain for multiple miles, so make sure you pack plenty of water and plan your time well. However, I’ve never, ever been on a hike so beautiful. When I reached the top of the mountain, I stood in awe. It was absolutely and unbelievably stunning. I’d hike the mountain 100 more times if it means I’d get to see that view again. I highly recommend it. This mountain is about an hour and a half away from campus. It’s closer to Liberty’s campus, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit. Try it out on a weekend when you aren’t too busy. I assure you, you will not regret it.

Grayson Highlands State Park

Grayson Highlands State Park (also known as Mount Rogers) is an amazing park with hundreds and hundreds of acres and hiking trails. If you’re looking for waterfalls, the Highlands have them. If you’re looking for wild ponies, the Highlands have those too. If you’re looking for amazing views from the peak of mountain-tops, you guessed it. The Highlands have multiple. You can also camp and backpack at the Highlands. It is literally one of my favorite places on earth. About two hours away from Blacksburg, the Highlands offer a wide variety of activities and trails for all walks of life.

If you’re itching to get out Hokies, here are some places I recommend. Exercise is good for your body, especially after winter hibernation. Take a break from your school work and get out for a little while. You won’t regret visiting any of these locations.

Ahhh June, what an exciting month. Especially in our favorite town, Blacksburg! Blacksburg in June is such a beautiful place. Walkways are filled with maroon and orange flowers in full bloom. Older and younger folks alike search the town high and low to find the Hokie Bird flock. The warm weather seems to put a smile on everyone’s face.

There are other reasons to love June: National holidays such as the beginning of summer and Father’s Day, to name a few. However, for all the yoga fanatics, June holds a very special day in store…International Day of Yoga, June 21!

There are many reasons to love yoga, so why not come together and celebrate it on this exciting day! Aside from the more obvious benefits of yoga such as; improving flexibility and reducing stress, there are many that you may not know about. Here are the top five benefits to yoga that you probably haven’t heard of.

Did you know that although yoga is a lower intensity exercise it has been linked to weight loss? Here’s how: Those who practice yoga regularly have been shown to be more mindful and aware of their bodies and what they are putting into it. This leads them to be more conscious of the food that they are consuming, making them more likely to choose healthier options that aid in weight loss.

Yoga aids in preventing and lowering stress. Stress has been linked to binge eating; lower stress levels mean that you’re less likely to binge on unhealthy foods.

Yoga can also help to detox your body. Performing yoga stimulates the lymphatic system and aids in removing toxins from your body. Just be sure to stay hydrated both before and after yoga to ensure maximum detoxification.

Did you know that yoga may be able to aid in lowering back pain? Yoga not only helps with flexibility, but it also increases muscle strength while doing it in a way that doesn’t strain your muscles. Decreasing your muscle weakness takes pressure off your lower back. Yoga has been linked to lower joint pain as well.

Yoga has also been shown to lower the risk of heart disease. Yoga participants have lower BMIs and overall stress levels. This puts less pressure on the heart.

Whether you’ve never tried yoga before, or you’re an advanced yogi, the benefits of regular yoga can help improve your life. National Day of Yoga is the perfect day to begin. While you’re searching for the rest of the Hokie Bird flock, be sure to check out Blacksburg’s local yoga studios, “Akke’s Yoga Place,” “In Balance Yoga,” or “The Breathing Space,” to get started with your yoga journey. If yoga isn’t your thing, maybe beer is! Lookout for the “Yoga on Tap” events at the Rising Silo Brewery.

Thanks for stopping by the blog. Namaste Hokie Lovers.

P.S. Be sure to stop by our online shop and check out our Hokie memorabilia and collection of handcrafted Hokie Birds!